Pocono Mountain school board member Strunk takes leave of absence

Pocono Mountain School Board member George Strunk has taken a leave of absence while he addresses aggravated assault charges filed against him.

DAVID PIERCE

Pocono Mountain School Board member George Strunk has taken a leave of absence while he addresses aggravated assault charges filed against him.

Strunk, who didn't attend Wednesday night's school board meeting, asked the school board to grant him a leave "for the next few months," Pocono Mountain solicitor Kevin Reid said in a memo he read just after the public portion of the meeting began.

"The board has collectively consented to Mr. Strunk's request," Reid said. "A school board member can be removed only under specific circumstances, none of which exist here."

Strunk, 38, of Cresco, was arrested last month after police said he attacked his brother-in-law, Gregory Oney, and kicked his wife, Debra, 50.

Strunk refused comment on the assault charges during a May 30 school board meeting, during which residents demanded his resignation. Strunk issued a statement the next day in which he said Oney attacked him during an argument at Strunk's home. Strunk said he never attacked his wife. The couple, married for eight years, are divorcing.

Strunk said he was attacked by Oney after Strunk learned a "dangerous man" was coming to the house to collect a $100 debt from his wife. Strunk rushed home, arriving at 4:30 p.m., and found his wife and her brother, Oney, at the home.

George Strunk said he asked his wife and brother-in-law to leave with him in his truck for safety reasons. He also told the two they needed to call police.

Strunk contends Oney punched him in the face and threw him into a curio cabinet, breaking the glass. Strunk's statement didn't address accusations by his wife and brother-in-law that Strunk pulled a handgun and pointed it about a foot from Oney's face.

There is no word on whether Strunk will resign or seek leave from two other boards he serves on: the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation and the Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport Authority.